New higher education group to tackle 'tough conversations'

A new Tennessee-focused higher education advocacy group launched Tuesday, and its leader pledged to pursue "tough conversations" with state leaders as they push to improve college attendance and graduation rates.

Complete Tennessee will serve as an independent voice in the state's higher education landscape and will work with communities, colleges and government officials to tackle some of the state's most persistent challenges. A key prong of the group's mission will be to support the Drive to 55, an effort to ensure that 55 percent of Tennesseans have a college degree or certificate by 2025.

Although Tennessee is regarded by many experts as a national leader in higher education policy, some data points that are indicative of student success have proven to be especially stubborn. In a statement announcing Complete Tennessee's launch, Lovett said public colleges in Tennessee have an average graduation rate of less than 45 percent, with the rate for some individual schools hovering "near the single digits."

"This means that more than half – and in some cases more than three-quarters — of college students in Tennessee are not achieving their dream of earning a degree or certificate," he said in the statement. "That is unacceptable.”

In a separate email, Lovett acknowledged that "tough conversations" were on the horizon, but he expressed optimism that his group could be part of a path forward.

"We want communities to better understand what’s working well and highlight the success stories, but we also need to create a sense of urgency around problems in need of better solutions," he said. "Complete Tennessee will help hold institutions accountable while also helping to advocate for best practices and positive change.”

Lovett said the nonprofit will encourage more community engagement in higher education, will do research seeking to identify key problems and solutions and will develop more effective leaders through a leadership academy.

The group has early buy-in from key leaders in higher education, including two men who have advised Gov. Bill Haslam on higher education. Mike Krause — executive director of the Tennessee Higher Education Commission — is on the group's 22-person steering committee, and Randy Boyd — commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development — is on its board of directors.

Krause and David Gregory, chancellor of the Board of Regents system, praised Lovett in statements on Tuesday and said they looked forward to working with the new organization.

"Student success has always been our mission at the Tennessee Board of Regents and our institutions, so we welcome the support of Complete Tennessee, which shares that goal," Gregory said.